Writing instrument assemblage



D. KAHN ET AL WRITING INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLAGE Filed Dec. 10, 1942 Dec. 19, 1944.

viii iii Jab 7:4,

Patented Dec. 19, 1944- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WRITING INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLAGE l David K'ahn, Englewood, and John William Para, Elizabeth, N. J., assignors to David Kahn, Inc.,

North Bergen, N. Jersey J., a corporation of New Application December 1942,, Serial No. 468,536

9 Claims.

or less necessary evil, the present invention aims to overcome the difficulty by'constructing the.- clip from a non-tarnishable and non-corrosive plastic material.

It has in the past been customary to attach the metal clips by means of. rivets, spurs, orsolder, or by means of a. threaded plug passed through a lateral collar on the upper end of the clip, but the presentinvention aims to provide an improved means of attachment in which a rugged attaching member is formed integrally with the clip. This attaching member may be in the form of, a headed plug to be secured in the upper Y end of a pen cap for example, the head of said plug constituting an attractive tip for the cap or the like, as well as insuring ample material at the juncture of the clip and plug, or the attaching member may be in the form of a sleeve adapted to be. tightly screwed to the body member of the writing instrument.

'Heretofore, particularly with clips for other than metal pens or pencils, it has been practically' impossible to provide a clip of a colorpermanently matching that of the pen or pencil, due

to chipping and wearing off of any color coat applied to the clip. The present invention however aims to. overcome this difliculty and provides for a permanently colored clip whether matching or contrasting with the color of the pen or pencil.

Quite frequently, mechanical pencils are pro.- vided with a lead magazine having a transparent side wall through which the contents may be viewed, but the metal clips heretofore used have interfered with the view. The present invention therefore aims to provide a-transparentclip free from this objection. I

It is one of the objects of the present inven- Gil ism with the writing instrument body member, said clip member being characterized by the properties of being non-tarnishable and non-corrosi-ve.

It is still further the object of the present invention to provide a clip having a clip sleeve which encompasses the elongated body member of the writing instrument and is tightly secured thereto, said sleeve being shrunk on to the body member or cemented thereto or tightly held thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the sleeve-member of the clip with an internal circumferential groove-,-said groove having seated therein a metal ring, said ring functioning to reiniorcesaid sleeve and to hold or assist in holding the sleeve portion to the writing instrument body member,

It is a furtherobject of the present invention to definitely assure the tight secureness of the clip to a writing instrument body member, regardless of the: fact thatv there may be minute variations in the cylindrical or otherwise shaped body member of the writing instrument.

A stillv further object of the present invention is toprovide a transparent clip which, in combination with a transparent barrel of a pencil having a magazine therein, permits the pencil leads of the magazine to be visible through the transparent clip member,

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a clip which is made from a plastic material which has the property of shrinking upon the instrument body member, after being applied thereto, thereby becoming permanently attached to the instrument body member. Such materialsare the nitrocelluloses, the cellulose ethers, and the like.

With the foregoing general objects in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, and shown tion to: provide, in combination with a writing inl strument having: a body membermade of a plastic material, a plastic clip provided with means to. secure the. clip to said body member, said clip being; provided with. a relatively resilient elongated clip pnrtion projecting downwardly from said clip securing means in substantial parallelin the accompanying drawing in which:

' Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of an article clipin accordance with the present invention in position on a fountain pen cap;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the clip of Fig. 1.;

Figure 3 is a section of the clip portion taken on the line, 3-3 of Fig. 2;,

Figure 4 is an end view of the clip of Figs. 1

Figure. is a perspective of the clip according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a vertical, section of a modified form of pen cap combined with the clip of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a modified form of clip adapted to be mounted firmly on a pencil barrel.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7, but showing a further variation.

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view on line 99 of Fig. 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detailed sectional View taken on line Iii-I of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawing in general, and particularly Fig. 1, a fountain pen as indicated at H1 is provided with a cap II. The upper portion of the cap shown in section is provided with an axial bore I2 which may be molded therein, or cut therein in any suitable manner. Preferably, though not necessarily, the cap II is molded of a suitable plastic material conventionally used for fountain pens, as for example hard rubber, cellulose acetate, nitro-cellulose, or any other plastic known in the art. The bore I2 is preferably provided with threads at it upper end indicated at I3. Threaded into the bore I2 is a supporting member M having an integral button or head I5, said head being integral with the upper end of a plastic clip member indicated in general at It. As shown in the drawing, the clip button I is of a generally frusto-conical shape, although it may be of any other shape which lends itself to ease in molding.

It will also be noted, that the supporting portion I4 provided with threads which are adapted to cooperate with the threads I3 of the fountain pen cap I I, projects centrally from the lower portion of the button l5. Projecting from the lower edge of the button I5 is a neck portion II merging into an elongated clip portion proper I8.

As shown particularly in Fig. 3, the clip portion I8 is of a generally triangular shape in transverse section, with its greatest width or base adjacent the cap II. This particular shape of the elongated portion I8 has been found desirable in order to provide sufiicient strength and resilience. In actual practice, in an elongated portion approximately 1 /4", the thickness of the portion I8 at the section indicated at c is approximately .073", at the point indicated at b .015", and at the point indicated at a .03. Similarly the width of the member I8 as shown in Fig. 2, at c is .0245", at b .0135" and at a .121". It will be noted that the lower end of the clip is provided with a detent or ball [9 having relatively straight sides as shown in particular in Fig. 4, wh ch lends itself more readily to a molding operation.

The integral clip member thus previously described may be molded from a number of plastic materials, provided these materials are capable of bein molded either in their incompletely polymerized form, or in their final form, providing they are thermoplastic and capable of being softened by means of a solvent. It is essential, however, that these materials be sufi'iciently resilient and non-deformable so that the clip portion I8 may be bent away from the cap H and will have a tendency to return to the posit on shown in Fig. 1, this tendency being of sufficient degree to firmly hold the cap II and the instrument attached thereto in a pocket or on a strip of cloth or other material.

It vnll be noted particularly that when the clip of the present invention is molded of plastic material, it is desirable that it possess a tapering cross-section, with its greatest cross-sectional area adjacent the neck II.

Referring to Figure 6, it will be noted that a modified form of pen cap is here shown wherein the cap 20 is provided with a bore 2| extending entirely through the cap. In this form of the invention, the supporting portion M which is threaded into the end of the cap also functions as a closure for the cap end.

Referring to Figure I, ther is shown a modified form of a clip ISA including a supporting portion of sleeve 22 which is formed from a plastic material which is treated prior to the time it is slipped over the barrel 23 and then allowed to shrink onto the barrel after being applied. Some cellulose ethers and cellulose esters shrink when water is evaporated therefrom and those materials may be used to form the clip member when it is desired to shrink the clip on the writing instrument body member. Certain other plastic materials expand when heated and shrink when cooled. In this form of the invention, sleeve 22 is united to the elongated body member 23 of the writing instrument by heating the sleeve 22 with steam or hot water, then slipping the sleeve over the body member 23 and thereafter allowing the sleeve member 22 to cool and shrink about the body member 23 to thereby firmly unite the sleeve member of the clip to the body member of the writing instrument.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10 the clip I6B is provided with a complete integral attaching sleeve 24 which may be tightly secured to the body mem ber 25 in the manner heretofore set forth as shown in Figure '7. Alternatively the clip IBB may be forced endwise onto the body member 25 and mechanical means provided for tightly securing the sleeve 24 to the body member 25. The sleeve 24 may be formed with an internal circumferential groove 26 in which is seated a ring 21, preferably a spring ring of steel, Monel metal, chrome steel, or any stainless steel or alloy, said ring contacting with the body member of the writing instrument and tightly holding the clip thereto. The ring 21 functions to reinforce the sleeve 24 and enables clips to be fitted on to the bcdy member even when there are certain variations in the diameter of the body member or the contour of the body member. In other words, the structure shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 functions to automatically compensate for slight inaccuracies in the writing instrument body member to which the clip is to be attached. The metal ring 24 may be snapped into a pre-formed groove on the sleeve, or may be imbe'dded on the sleeve at the time when the clip .member is molded or otherwise formed. Preferably the ring 21 is of circular cross section with its convex inner peripheral surface projecting inwardly a slight distance beyond the inner surface of sleeve 24. This permits the ring to contact the body member 25 with optimum tightness when the assembled sleeve is shrunk on to the body member or is forcibly pushed thereon from one end of the body member.

Prior to forcing the clip 24 on to the body member 25 the inner surface of the sleeve may be moistened at various areas with a solvent for the plastic material of the sleeve and clip. This will automatically form a cement which will firmly unite the interior surface of the sleeve 1 member 24 to the barrel member 25 on evaporation of the solvent. Suitable solvents are those ordinarily used for softening nitrocellulose, cel- Such solvents include acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and the usual lacquer solvents. Preferably the sleeve .24 is spot-Welded to the barrel member- 25 by the of the interior walls of the sleeve may be omitted together with the'metal ring and reliance placed upon. the spot welding to effectively andtightly mount the clip upon the instrument body member. If the ring member is used, spot welding should be at a point remote from the ring so as to leave the ring free to contract and expand in its groove.

Desirably the clip may be formed of a trans parent plastic. When a clip of this character is mounted onv a pencil provided with a transparent barrel through which the supply of lead may be seen, the transparent clip will not interfere with the view through the barrel. Thus the clip of Figures: '2 and 8 which is shown mounted on a pencil barrel, which may contain a reservoir for leads, would not interfere with the view of the. leads through the barrel.

In addition. to the aforementioned advantages. a clip of the present: construction may be colored to conform to the writing instrument barrel or'to contrast therewith. Naturally to durably color a metal clip. would be relatively impractical.

Further, the clip of the present invention may easily have impressed therein insignia or initials which may he; thus easily assembled with the writing instrument. to impart thereto a personalized touch.

The clip in accordance the present invention. is practically indestructible and is not affected by body acids or alkaline constituents which produce tarnishing in metal clips; Although it is preferable that the clip the pres?- entinvention be molded from a plastic, it is tobe understood that. the clipmay be cast from a suitable plastic.

Thermoplastic materials which are suitable for use in accordance with the present invention are l. Phenol-formaldehyde resins. as; for example Bakelite. which is thermosetting' in character. In other words, if". Bakelite were used for molding or forming the pen of the: present invention, the molding composition in its incompletely set fornl would be molded, into shape and their heated to produce the final product by polymerization.

2. Furiu-ralresins. These: resins are also thermosettin-g incharacter and would? be stibseduently heated for complete polymerizationafter forming.

3. Urea and thiourea resins. Resins: of this character are also thermosetting in character...

4. Glyptal. Some or the glyptal resins: are thermosetting, while others are thermoplastic. In other words, the thermoplastic resins; and glyptal resins when. used. can shaped by ap: plying heat to the. desired form herein. disclosed alter having been initially supplied in bars or tribes;

Vinyl and styrene resins; These: resin are generally produced by polymerizing styrene or vinyl benzinei They are highly thermoplastic in character and. easily'molided by the application of heat. In many forms they are clear or colorless and are sufiiciently tough and elastic for the purpose of the present invention.

6. Acrolein and acrylic acid resins. An example of this type of resins is that known as Lucite. The acryl or acrolein resins are optically clear and have a high index of refraction. They present an extremely attractive appearance for a clip of a pen or the like of this character for this reason. In 'additionthey are extremely tough and, sufficiently flexible for the present purposes.

7; Cellulose; esters and others. Example at this type of plastic are cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate; These plastics are thermosortening; in. other words, they soften when, heated and can be. formed by suitable dies into a pen as set forth.

8. Hard rubber. Hard rubber differs from the soft flexible type of rubber in that it contains from 20% to 30% of sulphur. Hard rubber com-- positions in. general are thermoplastic and can be molded to a suitable shape such as the clip of the present invention.

9; Chlorinated rubber. This. material is thermoplastic in. character and in sufiicien-t thickness represents a thermoplastic material within the range of thisv invention. A. form of chlorinated rubber is that. product sold in sheets under the trade name of Pliofilm.

10. Synthetic rubber compositions. These in general exhibit the same qualities as hard rubber and can be similarly used.

It is to be understood that mixtures of plastic materials may be suitable in the present invention and that stiffeners or fillers such. as fibrous materials, as well as plasticizers may be essential to produce a material having the desired qualities As the plastic from which the clip is formed is always non-tarnishable and non-corrosive, it is proof against discoloration and deterioration and moreover it cannot stain any article of apparel or other support upon which it. is clipped.

From the foregoing it will be. seen that. novel a provision has been made for carrying out the objects of the invention but attention. is invited to the possibility of making variations other than those disclosed.

What is claimed is:

I. In combination with a pencil provided with a transparent barrel and a magazine therein having' a Visible supply 01 pencil leads, a. plastic non tarnishable non-corrosive clip member provided with a sleeve encompassing said barrel member r and having an internal circumferential groove,

a metal ring, seated in said groove and contacting with said body member" to hold said clip member on said barrel, and a relatively resilient elongated clip portion integrally united with the sleeve member and extending in substantial parallelism with the pencil barrel, said elongated clip portion. being extremely tough and sufficiently flexible to spring outwardly from said barrel and return in proximity thereto as a clip therefor, the transparent clip permitting the lead supply to bevisible at all times;

2. In combination. with a pencil provided with a transparent plastic barrel and a magazine therein havingia. visible supply of pencil leads, a plastic non-tarnishabl'e non-corrosive clip member pro.- vided with a sleeve encompassing said barrel member and having an internal circumferential groove, a metal ring seated in said groove, the sleeve member being cemented to said pencil barrel at a point remote from said metal ring, bya cement resulting from the action of'a solvent on the material of said sleeve member and barrel and a relatively resilient elongated clip portion integrally united with the sleeve member and extending in substantial parallelism with the pencil barrel, said elongated clip portion being extremely tough and sufficiently flexible to spring outwardly from said barrel and return in proximity thereto as a clip therefor, the transparent clip permitting the lead supply to be visible at all times. t

3. In combination with a Writing instrument having a body member made of plastic material, a plastic clip provided with a clip sleeve encompassing said elongated body member and cemerited thereto, with a plastic cement resulting from the action of a solvent on the material of said body and sleeve members and a relatively resilient elongated clip portion integrally united with the sleeve portion, said elongated clip portion extending in substantial parallelism to the body member and being extremely tough and sulficiently flexible to spring outwardly from said body and to return in proximity thereto as a clip therefor, said clip comprising a non-tarnishable and non-corrosive material preventing discoloration and deterioration of the clip and the staining of garment material to which the clip may be attached.

4. In combination with a writing instrument having a body member made of plastic material, a plastic clip provided with a clip sleeve encompassing said elongated body member, said sleeve having an internal circumferential groove and a metal ring seated in said groove and con tacting with said elongated bod member to hold said clip on said writing instrument body member, a relatively resilient elongated clip portion integrally united with said sleeve member, said elongated clip portion extending in substantial parallelism to the body member and being extremely tough and sufficiently flexible to spring outwardly from said body member and to return in proximity thereto as a clip therefor, said clip comprising a non-tarnishable and non-corrosive material preventing discoloration and deterioration of the clip and the staining of garment material to which the clip may be attached.

5. In combination with a writing instrument having a body member made of plastic material, a plastic clip provided with a clip sleeve encompassing said elongated body member, said sleeve having an internal circumferential groove and a metal ring seated in said groove, the inner periphery surface of said metal ring projecting slightly beyond the inner surface of said sleeve, the so arranged sleeve contacting the said elongated body member to hold said ring in tight engagement with the bod member, a relatively resilient elongated clip portion integrally united with said sleeve member, said elongated clip portion extending in substantial parallelism to the body member and being extremely tough and sufiiciently flexible to spring outwardly from said body member and to return in proximity thereto as a clip therefor, said clip comprising a nontarnishable and non-corrosive material preventing discoloration and deterioration of the clip and the staining of garment material to which the clip may be attached.

6. In combination with a pencil provided with a transparent plastic barrel and a magazine therein having a visible supply of pencil leads, a plastic non-tarnishable non-corrosive clip member provided with a sleeve encompassing said barrel member and having an internal circumferential groove, a metal ring seated in said groove, the

sleeve member being spot welded tothe said pencil barrel at a point remote from said metal ring by a plastic cement composed of material of said members, and a relatively resilient elongated clip portion integrally united with the sleeve member and extending in substantial parallelism with the pencil barrel, said elongated clip portion being extremely tough and sufficiently flexible to spring outwardly from said barrel and return in proximity thereto as a clip therefor, the transparent clip permitting the lead suppl to be visible at all times.

7. In combination with a pencil provided with a transparent plastic barrel and a magazine therein having a visible supply of pencil leads, a plastic non-tarnishable non-corrosive transparent clip member provided with a sleeve encompassing said barrel member and having an internal circumferential groove, a metal ring seated in said groove, said ring being composed of a metal inhibiting staining action on said sleeve and barrel members, said sleeve member being cemented to said pencil barrel at a point remote from said metal ring by a cement resulting from the action of a solvent on the material of said sleeve member and barrel, and a relatively resilient elongated clip portion integrally united with the sleeve member and extending in substantial parallelism with the pencil barrel, said elongated clip portion being extremely tough and suificiently flexible to spring outwardly from said barrel and return in proximity thereto as a clip therefor, the transparent cli'p permitting the lead supply to be visible at all times.

8. In combination with a writing instrument having a writing member made of transparent plastic material, a transparent plastic clip'pro vided with a clip sleeve encompassing said elongated body member, said sleeve having an in-' ternal circumferential groove, a metal ring seated in said groove, said metal ring being composed of a material which inhibits staining action on said sleeve and body member, said sleeve member being cemented to said body member at a point remote from said metal rin with a cement resulting from the action of a solvent on material bf said body member and sleeve member, the inner periphery surface of said metal ring projecting slightly beyond the inner surface of said sleeve, the so-arranged and cemented sleeve contacting said elongated bod member to hold said ring in tight engagement with the body member.

9. In a clip for a writing instrument havin a body member, a clip sleeve encompassing said body member and shrunk thereon, said clip member having a relatively resilient elongated clip portion united with the sleeve portion, said elongated clip portion extending in substantial parallelism to the body member and being extremely tough and sufiiciently flexible to spring outwardly from said body member and to return in proximity thereto as a clip therefor, said clip comprising a non-tarnishable and non-corrosive material preventing discoloration and deterioration of the clip and the staining of the garment material to which the clip may be attached.

DAVID KAHN. JOHN WILLIAM PARA. 

